
Hannibal is a 2001 American psychological horror crime thriller film directed by Ridley Scott and based on the 1999 novel by Thomas Harris. A sequel to the 1991 film The Silence of the Lambs, the plot follows disgraced FBI special agent Clarice Starling as she attempts to apprehend cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter before his surviving victim, Mason Verger, captures him. Anthony Hopkins reprises his role as Lecter, while Julianne Moore replaces Jodie Foster as Starling and Gary Oldman plays Verger. Ray Liotta, Frankie R. Faison, Giancarlo Giannini, and Francesca Neri also star.
Harris published Hannibal eleven years after the publication of The Silence of the Lambs (1988). Scott became attached while directing Gladiator (2000), and signed on after reading the script pitched by Dino De Laurentiis, who had produced Manhunter (1986), the first Lecter film. David Mamet and Steven Zaillian wrote the screenplay, and principal photography commenced in May 2000, lasting sixteen weeks.
Hannibal was released on 9 February 2001, ten years after The Silence of the Lambs. It was highly anticipated and broke box office records in the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom, and grossed $351.6 million during its theatrical run. It received mixed reviews; critics praised the performances and visuals, but deemed it inferior to The Silence of the Lambs and criticized its violence. It was followed by a prequel, Red Dragon, in 2002, with Hopkins reprising his role as Lecter and Brett Ratner taking over as director.
Plot[]
A decade after tracking down serial killer Jame Gumb, FBI Special Agent Clarice Starling is blamed for a botched drug raid that resulted in the deaths of five people. Starling is contacted by Mason Verger, the only surviving victim of cannibalistic serial killer Hannibal Lecter, who has been missing since escaping custody. A wealthy child molester, Verger was paralyzed and disfigured by Lecter and has been pursuing an elaborate scheme to capture, torture, and kill Lecter ever since. Using his wealth and political influence, Verger has Starling reassigned to Lecter's case, hoping her involvement will draw Lecter out.
After learning of Starling's disgrace, Lecter sends her a letter. A perfume expert identifies the fragrance on the letter: skin cream with ingredients only available to a few shops in the world. In Florence, Chief Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi questions Lecter about a case. Lecter is now masquerading as Dr. Fell, a library assistant curator and caretaker.
Recognizing Lecter from the police surveillance tape Starling requested, Pazzi learns of Verger's $3 million personal bounty on Lecter. Seeking the money, he attempts to capture Lecter alone. Lecter severs the femoral artery of the pickpocket Pazzi recruited, then baits Pazzi into a room of the Palazzo Vecchio, disembowels him, and hangs him from the balcony. He also kills a Verger henchman.
Verger bribes Justice Department official Paul Krendler to accuse Starling of not disclosing a note from Lecter, leading to her suspension. Lecter gets Starling to come to Union Station while speaking with her through mobile phones. Verger's men, having trailed Starling, capture and bring Lecter to Verger. Verger intends to feed Lecter alive to a herd of mutated giant forest hogs bred for this purpose. Starling infiltrates Verger's estate and frees Lecter but is shot by a guard. The hogs devour the two guards but ignore Lecter. Verger orders his physician Cordell Doemling to shoot Lecter but Doemling shoves his hated boss into the pen instead as Lecter offers to take the blame. Lecter then carries an unconscious Starling away while Verger is eaten alive by his own hogs.
Lecter treats Starling's wound at Krendler's secluded lake house before drugging Krendler. Starling, disoriented by morphine and wearing a cocktail dress Lecter put on her, awakens to find Krendler seated at the table for an elegant dinner. She watches in horror as Lecter opens Krendler's skull, removes part of his brain, sautés it, and feeds Krendler's own brain to him. Starling tries to attack Lecter, but he overpowers and kisses her. She uses the distraction to handcuff his wrist to hers. Hearing the police, Lecter raises a cleaver over her hand. After, Starling surrenders to the FBI with her hands intact.
On a flight, Lecter, his arm bandaged in a sling, shares Krendler's cooked brain with a curious boy watching him eat, saying it is important to "try new things.”
Cast[]
- Anthony Hopkins as Dr. Hannibal Lecter / Dr. Fell
- Julianne Moore as FBI Agent Clarice Starling
- Gary Oldman as Mason Verger
- Ray Liotta as Paul Krendler
- Frankie R. Faison as Barney Matthews
- Giancarlo Giannini as Chief Inspector Rinaldo Pazzi
- Francesca Neri as Allegra Pazzi
- Željko Ivanek as Dr. Cordell Doemling
- David Andrews as FBI Agent Clint Pearsall
- Francis Guinan as FBI Assistant Director Noonan
- Robert Rietti as Sogliato
- Enrico Lo Verso as Gnocco
- Ivano Marescotti as Carlo Deogracias'
- Fabrizio Gifuni as Fabrizio
- Marco Greco as Tommaso
- Hazelle Goodman as Evelda Drumgo
- Terry Serpico as Officer Bolton
- Boyd Kestner as FBI Agent Burke
- Peter Shaw as FBI Agent John Brigham
- James Opher as DEA Agent Eldridge
- Don McManus as Benny Holcombe
- Danielle de Niese as Beatrice in Vide Cor Meum
- Mark Margolis and Ajay Naidu as Perfume Experts
- Bruce MacVittie as FBI Tech with Lecter's Letter